Writing tip #5: eliminate ‘to, for and on’

Another in a series of writing tips from Of Is and By: how to be a better writer overnight.

Essential lesson #5: Everyone has specific writing mistakes they make repeatedly. The path to writing excellence means casting off these errors, once you identify them.

Due to English’s flexibility, to for and on can almost always be eliminated. At its most basic, here’s how it works: “The effect on the environment” can be “environmental effect.” “I gave the ball to John” can become “I gave John the ball.” “The house on Main Street” can become “the Main Street House.” It means exactly the same and is shorter, of course, and more compressed. Compress wherever possible.

Here are some examples:

For

Original and edit

The College becomes the first post-secondary institution to provide nap rooms for students, available 24/7. Rooms are located in L Building at Lakeshore campus.

The College becomes the first post-secondary institution to provide student nap rooms, available 24/7 in the Lakeshore campus’ L Building.

Commentary

In moving “student” to before “nap rooms,” it eliminates the additional ‘for’ and means the same.

The sentences were merged, with “students” cut in the second reference. “L Building at Lakeshore Campus” can easily be rendered as the “Lakeshore campus’ L Building.”

This forgoes the more elaborate construction above and uses the possessive.

To

Try this sentence

Unlike other yoga studios, memberships will include discounts to Lululemon stores, insight to new products, and free entrance to Lululemon events.